Eagles will miss Martins, says Babangida

FORMER Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the AFCON.

Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names not on the Eagles’ preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes Levante striker Martins should have been considered for the Nations Cup.

“Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend,” Babangida argued.

“Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

“At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor(Ikpeba) and the others.”

Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

“I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com